Summer may be in full swing, but some people in Harrisburg are already thinking ahead to the first day of school. Shopping for those supplies can really take a toll on a family. There’s something you can do to help.

“People are concerned,” said Pastor Terry Lamer of Harrisburg First Assembly Of God Church, “They want the community to know that they care.”

Lamer is on a mission. He wants kids in Harrisburg to go back to school with all the tools they’ll need.

“Anything that would go into a book bag,” he said, “Anything that would help a child have a good experience in school.”

Harrisburg First Assembly of God is teaming up with other area churches for this backpack giveaway. The goal is to collect at least 1500 backpacks to to pass out to students in August.

“We see ourselves as a part of the community,” said Lamer, “We want to invest in the community, and we want to let people know that we’re ready to partner with them to do what needs to be done in the community to make it a better place.”

Backpacks and the supplies that go in them are expensive for everyone.

“They need to get the protractors, and they need the papers and the binders and the folders,” said Harrisburg school superintendent, Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney. “It can add up to be a real costly list that students have to have.”

Eighty-seven percent of the students in the Harrisburg School District are living at or below the poverty level.

“This is a way to help our families really ease into the school year,” Knight-Burney said.

That’s why they hope you will lend a hand, or at least a number two pencil.

“We appreciate you, and we always appreciate the outpouring of love and support through this and many other ways,” Knight-Burney said.

“The community working together makes Harrisburg a whole lot better place to be,” said Lamer.

If you would like to help, here are the drop off locations from now through August 7:

Harrisburg First Assembly of God Church

4100 N. Progress Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17110

RCCG Living Spring Harrisburg

3840 N. Progress Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Harrisburg School District Administration Office

1601 State Street

Harrisburg, PA 171013

“Stuff the Bus”

Saturday, July 18th, 12pm-4pm

Marshall School

301 Hale Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17104

Here are the supplies being collected:

Book Bags

Pens / Pencils / Crayons / Erasers / Pencil Cases / Markers

Lunch Bags

Rulers

Glue

Notebooks / Lined Paper

If you need a backpack, the best thing you can do is pre-register. There are three ways: